BEAR ACL Repair

Bridge-enhanced repair implants (BEAR) for treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears is the first procedure that enables the body to heal its own torn ACL. Dr. Chris Dougherty is a pioneer in the BEAR technique and was the first to offer it in Arkansas.

ACL tears are a common injury that previously required surgical intervention with longer recovery time. Individuals are often unable to return to the same level of daily activities or sports they had prior to their tear.

This combination of implant and the patient’s blood enables the body to heal the torn ends of the ACL back together while maintaining the ACL’s original attachments to the femur and tibia. As the ACL heals, the implant is resorbed by the body, within approximately eight weeks.

“This new implant and the bridge-enhanced ACL repair technique is a game changer,” according to Dr. Dougherty. “For the first time you can actually restore your ACL and regrow it. This surgery has a chance to recreate your natural knee and, unlike other graft repairs, lets you take your knee back to time zero before injury.”